Audiobook Review - How To Date A Douchebag: The Studying Hours by Sara Ney • Ana's Attic Book Blog

How To Date A Douchebag: The Studying Hours by Sara Ney

Narrated by Josh Goodman and Muffy Newtown

New Adult Romantic Comedy. First in a series of related standalones.

I am not normally a New Adult fan. Since my son is that age it’s kind of awkward. But The Douchebag Series by Sara Ney is loved by so many people I trust, so when it came out on audible I jumped at the chance to listen. I’m so glad I did! How To Date A Douchebag: The Studying Hours was fun and sweet and not as angsty as expected.

“Sweetheart, Oz is a nickname. Haven’t you googled me yet?” 
Amused blue eyes roll. “I’m sure you google yourself enough for the both of us.” 
Shit, she’s right. I do google myself a lot.

Sebastian ‘Oz’ Osbourne is the cocky, arrogant big man on campus because he is the champion, award winning wrestler. He’s hot, has a dirty mouth, and he’s a total manwhoring douchebag.

Jameson Clarke spends her free time studying in the library. With cardigans in every color of the rainbow and a pair of pearls, she may like like a quiet little conservative nerd, but you shouldn’t judge a book by it’s cover.

When Oz’s friends bet him $500 he can’t get a kiss from Jameson he is shot down like a missile, making him even more determined. Nobody says no to Oz! I loved James’s solution! She is snarky and sarcastic and just what a douche like Oz needs.

Though not a lot happened in this and it’s not even a unique trope, there was something different about this book. It was a really fun read, and I love snarky banter! The couple became friends and study partners first and I loved watching the friendship develop.

I had one major problem which probably only exists in the audiobook. Oz has dreams/nightmares. The thing is, in the book, they are probably italicized so you know it’s not really happening. Well in an audiobook there is no way to convey this, so for a good hour of the book, I thought that James was sleeping with Oz’s roommate because I didn’t realize he dreamed it.

I loved the chapter headings! They were hysterical!

“Hey Mr. Impatient, how about you go down a water slide while it isn’t wet. Maybe then you will understand why foreplay is so important.” ~ Chapter Header

Likes:

Witty and fun.
Jameson was snarky and smart, Oz is smarter than he lets on and was way sweeter than he lets on.
The chapter headings.
Fun banter.
Low angst.
Slow burn.
Something unique in a popular theme.

Dislikes:

I assume this is an audiobook only issue, but it totally confused me. Oz had dreams, which in the book are probably italicized, but in the audiobook I didn’t realize it was a dream and it changed the story for me until I had to go back an hour when I realized I was all wrong thinking James did something she didn’t.
I felt we needed backstories for both characters.
The ending was a little rushed.

The Narration:

Both narrators were great and perfect for the characters. My only issue is outlined above under dislikes.

The Down & Dirty:

Despite How To Date A Douchebag being a pretty popular trope (the jock and the nerdy girl), this story was refreshingly fun and felt unique anyway. I loved the chapter headings and the fact that Jameson was so smart and snarky. Though Oz acted like a douchebag, deep down, he was a good, smart guy and he totally grew on me. I really enjoyed this slow-burn friends to lovers romcom and look forward to listening to more in the series.